Indigenous Plateau Installation at the High Desert Museum

The High Desert Museum seeks an artist or artist team to create a new art installation at the Museum's entrance to the renovated permanent exhibition on the Indigenous Plateau. Eligible artists must have deep knowledge of Indigenous Plateau worldview, values, and knowledge, and experience working with materials suitable for long-term installation.

The installation will serve as a critical anchor for an entire wing of the Museum, visually drawing visitors to the exhibition and welcoming them into an immersive experience centered on Indigenous Plateau voices and knowledge. The artwork should introduce visitors to the Lighted Earth worldview—the foundation of Indigenous Plateau understanding that recognizes how light returns with the winter solstice and moves across the landscape, giving life to all plants, animals, earth, and people. Potential themes include the region as homeland of Plateau people, connections between past, present, and future, and the role of light as the giver of life and connector of all beings. The installation will incorporate floor-to-ceiling windows and a stream, presenting opportunities to incorporate light and water. The artwork must be durable and suitable for long-term display in a high-traffic area with significant light exposure. This is a 3D opportunity open to a range of media and materials.

The anticipated art budget is $80,000 total, including artist fees, travel expenses, materials, engineering, permitting, fabrication, installation, insurance, and other project costs. The High Desert Museum will support installation and integration of the artwork. This project is funded in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. Submissions must include an artist statement or statement of interest (two-page maximum), resumé (two-page maximum), and up to 10 images of past work. The selection committee, comprising exhibition development team members including Native advisors and Museum staff, will review qualifications and select artists for interviews. Shortlisted finalists will participate in a virtual interview to discuss their past work, art process, and project approach. The committee strongly encourages artist teams that include emerging or early career stage artists alongside more established artists. Deadline: January 23, 2026. Finalists will be notified in late February 2026, with finalist interviews in March 2026 and artist selection and contracting in April 2026.